Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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VOCABULARY OF A SPECIAL GROUP
THERE IS A HILLBILLY IN FLINT WHO ALWAYS SAYS,
"SANG NABIT," INSTEAD OF CUSSING.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; SOUTH QUAD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
ON THE STAIRS
IF YOU PASS SOMEONE ON THE STAIRS, IN THE HOUSE, IT IS AN OMEN
OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
GRANDMA HAS KNOWN THIS ONE AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER AND THINKS
SHE GOT IT FROM HER MOTHER WHO CAME FROM IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
PREVIOUS TO WEDDING CEREMONY
GROOM HAS A "STAG PARTY".
THIS PARTY CONSISTS OF MALE ONLY. USUALLY THE FRIENDS OF THE GROOM
GIVE THE PARTY. THE ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE ARE KNOWN AS THE
LAST "FLING" MEANING, THE HUSBAND COES THINGS HE MAY NOT DO ONCE
HE'S MARRIED. FOR EXAMPLE, STAY OUT LATE WITH THE BOYS AND DRINK
UNTIL HE IS DRUNK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bachelor parties |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
CHURCH CUSTOM
THIS IS A GERMAN CATHOLIC FEAST WHICH IS CELEBRATED IN HONOR OF THE
FOUNDING OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST. IT TAKES PLACE ON THURSDAY EXACTLY
FOUR WEEKS AFTER ASCENSION THURSDAY. IT BEGINS BY CELEBRATING MASS
IN CHURCH. THEN THE HOLY EUCHARIST IS HONORED IN A PROCESSION WHICH
LEAVES FROM THE CHURCH AND GOES TO THE CHURCH GROUNDS. ON THE
GROUNDS ARE SET UP THREE ALTARS. THE PROCESSION GOES TO ALL THREE
ALTARS AND PRAYERS ARE CHANTED AND SONGS ARE SUNG. THE
PROCESSION IS LED BY THE PRIEST AND ALTAR BOYS AND FOLLOWED BY
THE MOST RECENT FIRST COMMUNION CLASS, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHER CHURCH
GROUPS FOR MEN, WOMEN OR CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY. INFORMANT NEVER MENTIONED NAME OF FEAST BUT IT SEEMS TO BE CORPUS
CHRISTI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
Keyword(s): CORPUS CHRISTI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Cinderella
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN YELLOW
WENT UPSTAIRS TO KISS HER FELLOW
HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE GET?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
AFTER AN AMBULANCE GOES PAST YOU, MAKE THE SIGN OF
THE CROSS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST BEING THE NEXT
ONE IN THE AMBULANCE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TAUGHT AS A SMALL BOY TO DO THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LANSING-REILLY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
DESPERATE DISEASES REQUIRE DESPERATE REMEDIES.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS ONE OF MANY PROVERBS TOLD TO ME BY THE
INFORMANT AT ONE SITTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; BOMBAY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-15-1970
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; BOMBAY
Keyword(s): LOAN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-15-1970
LEND YOUR MONEY AND LOSE YOUR FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; BOMBAY
Keyword(s): LOAN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-15-1970
IF IT TAKES TWO TO MAKE A BARGAIN, IT MUST TAKE TWO TO
BREAK IT.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; BOMBAY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 10-15-1970
CURING OIL
OLIVE OIL IS SAID TO BE A CURE FOR APPENDICITIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
COAST GUARD ACADEMY
HIGH ABOVE LONG ISLAND'S WATERS
THERE'S AN OLD JUNK YARD,
SOME SAY IT'S A NAVY DRY DOCK,
WE CALL IT COAST GUARD.
Submitter comment:
A SONG I LEARNED IN COLLEGE
TUNE: "HIGH ABOVE CAYUGA WATERS"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MILITARY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
WORK SONG
THIS IS THE WAY WE WASH OUR CLOTHES,
WASH OUR CLOTHES, WASH OUR CLOTHES;
THIS IS THE WAY WE WASH OUR CLOTHES,
SO EARLY MONDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE IRON OUR CLOTHES,
IRON OUR CLOTHES, IRON OUR CLOTHES;
THIS IS THE WAY WE IRON OUR CLOTHES,
SO EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE CLEAN OUR WINDOWS,
CLEAN OUR WINDOWS, CLEAN OUR WINDOWS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE CLEAN OUR WINDOWS,
SO EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE SWEEP OUR FLOORS,
SWEEP OUR FLOORS, SWEEP OUR FLOORS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE SWEEP OUR FLOORS,
SO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE MAKE OUR BEDS,
MAKE OUR BEDS, MAKE OUR BEDS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE MAKE OUR BEDS;
M SO EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE SCRUB OUR FLOORS,
SCRUB OUR FLOORS, SCRUB OUR FLOORS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE SCRUB OUR FLOORS,
SO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE GO TO CHURCH,
GO TO CHURCH, GO TO CHURCH;
THIS IS THE WAY WE GO TO CHURCH,
SO EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHAIN SONG ; DAYS OF THE WEEK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Work |
BELIEF
TO KILL A WITCH- CLOSE THE BOOK, RING THE BELL, AND BLOW
OUT THE CANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
ROVER
"I'M LOOKING OVER, MY DEAD DOG ROVER
THAT I OVERLOOKED BEFORE
ONE LEG IS MISSING
THE OTHER IS GONE
THE THIRD ONE IS LAYING ON OUR FRONT LAWN
NO USE EXPLAINING, THE ONE REMAINING
CANNOT HELP HIM NOW
I'M LOOKING OVER MY DEAD DOG ROVER
THAT I OVERLOOKED BEFORE."
Submitter comment:
NEIGHBORHOOD FRIENDS OF MINE USED TO SING THIS
TO THE TUNE OF "I'M LOOKING OVER A 4-LEAFED CLOVER"
THIS JOLLEY TUNE WAS SUNG BY KIDS
FOR YEARS IN MY GENERAL VICINITY UNTIL
EVERYONE GOT PRETTY TIRED OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
IF YOU WEAR A SCAPULAR AROUND YOUR NECK AND DIE WITH
IT ON, YOU WILL GO DIRECTLY TO HEAVEN. HOWEVER,
A STORY TOLD BY AN ELEMENTARY NUN GOES, A COUPLE
WAS IN A CAR NECKING AND PETTING; THEY BOTH HAD
SCAPULARS; ON THE WAY HOME, THE BOY HAD AN
ACCIDENT, IN WHICH HIS HEAD WAS SEVERED FROM HIS
BODY AND THE SCAPULAR WAS HANGING ON A TREE, THIS
INFERRING THAT HE WENT STRAIGHT TO HELL.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD BY A NUN AS A WARNING TO HER STUDENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LANSING-REILLY
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET ; BELIEF TALE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
Entry filtered.
SONG ABOUT MEATBALLS.
ON TOP OF SPAGETTI
ALL COVERED WITH CHEESE
I LOST MY TWO MEATBALLS
WHEN SOMEBODY SNEEZED.
THEY ROLLED OFF THE TABLE
AND ON TO THE FLOOR.
THE LAST TIME I SAW THEM
THEY ROLLED OUT THE DOOR.
A TRUCK RAN THEM OVER.
THEY DIED THE NEXT DAY--
WE'LL HONOR THEM TRULY
ON " MEMORIAL DAY "
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S LINES HAVE BEEN BROKEN INTO METRICAL UNITS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MOCK EPIC ; SPAGHETTI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
BE KIND TO YOUR WEB-FOOTED FRIEND,
FOR THAT DUCK MAY BE SOMEBODY'S MOTHER.
SHE MAY LIVE DOWN BY A SWAMP,
AND HAVE NOTHING TO EAT , BUT MUD.
NOW YOU MAY THINK THIS IS ALL---
WELL, IT IS}
Submitter comment:
PARODY ON "STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER."
THIS IS A GRADE SCHOOL SONG SUNG BY
CHILDREN IN PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN DURING THE 1940'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
SONG.
I'M A CRACKER, I'M A CRACKER
I'M A CRACKER TIL I DIE
BUT I'D RATHER BE A CRACKER
THEN A CRUMB FROM ___________ HIGH
Submitter comment: PARODIED TO " CLEMENTINE ".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.